Powell River Regional District passed a new integrated pest-management program policy that limits the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides to eradicate invasive species.
It does not ban the use of chemicals, such as the weedkiller Roundup, but it specifies that those chemicals not be used for cosmetic purposes around regional parks.
Municipal director Russell Brewer said the regional district’s policy is in line with many other BC communities that have cracked down on the use of cosmetic herbicides.
“A lot of communities have banned pesticides and herbicides for cosmetic use, but generally in their integrated pest-management plans they have provisions for them to use herbicides and pesticides where needed to control invasive species,” said Brewer.
Regional district staff will instead use a mixture of salt, soap and vinegar to control weed growth on gravel and asphalt.
The policy calls for proactive measures of using mulches to reduce weed growth and conserve water.
Japanese Knotweed is one invasive plant species found growing in the regional district, while stands of the toxic Giant Hogweed have also been found.
“The eradication of invasive species will in nearly all cases require the use of herbicides,” the new policy states.
The regional district’s integrated pest-management program policy replaces its old pesticide-use policy.
Regional district chief administrative officer Al Radke said regional districts are not able to regulate residents’ use of these chemicals on their own properties. Only municipalities are able to do that.
“We cannot regulate. This policy is how we will send the message out,” said Radke. “We can only lead by setting an example through our policy.”
